Misconceptions about Immunization (Quackwatch)

QUACKWATCH.org ^ | Revised April 20th, 2002 | Stephen Barrett, M.D.

[Sabertooth]

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Misconceptions about Immunization

Introduction

Immunizations should be part of routine health care obtained through one's personal physician (or in some instances, through one's local health department). Long-lasting protection is available against measles, mumps, German measles (rubella), poliomyelitis, tetanus (lockjaw), whooping cough (pertussis), diphtheria, chickenpox (varicella), Hemophilus influenzae b (Hib), and hepatitis B. Immunization against all of these is recommended for children by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Practice, and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

All states now require proof of immunization or other evidence of immunity against some of these diseases for admission to school. However, the requirements vary from state to state, and exemptions may be granted for medical, moral, or religious reasons.

Immunization is also important for adults. Those unprotected against any of the above diseases (except whooping cough) should consult their physicians. Tetanus boosters should be administered every ten years. Flu shots (which give only seasonal protection) and immunization against pneumococcal pneumonia are recommended for high-risk patients, elderly individuals, and certain institutional populations.

The success of vaccination programs in the United States and Europe inspired the 20th-century concept of "disease eradication" -- the idea that a selected disease can be eradicated from all human populations through global cooperation. In 1977, after a decade-long campaign involving 33 countries, smallpox was eradicated worldwide. Polio caused by wild virus has been eradicated from the Western Hemisphere; childhood vaccination levels in the United States are at an all-time high; and disease and death from diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) are at or near record lows. In April 1999, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control issued a fact sheet with some interesting statistics about the impact of vaccination on childhood diseases.

• Average annual number of smallpox cases in 1900-1904: 48,164.
  United States cases per year since 1950: 0.
  Worldwide cases per year since 1977: 0.
• Average annual number of diphtheria cases in the U.S. in 1920-1922: 175,885.
  U.S. cases in 1998: 1.
• Average annual number of pertussis cases in 1922-1925: 147,271.
  U.S. cases in 1998: 6,279.
• Estimated average annual number of tetanus cases in 1922-1926: 1,314.
  U.S. cases in 1998: 34.
• Average annual number of paralytic polio cases in 1951-1954: 16,316.
  U.S. cases of wild type poliovirus in 1998: 0.
• Average annual number of measles cases in 1958-1962: 503,282.
  U.S. cases in 1998: 89.
• The number of mumps cases in 1968: 152,209.
  U.S. cases in 1998: 606.
• Average annual number of rubella cases in 1966-1968: 47,745.
  U.S. cases in 1998: 345.
• Estimated average annual number of cases of congenital rubella syndrome in 1966-1968: 823.
  U.S. cases in 1998: 5.
• Estimated average annual number of Hib cases before vaccine licensure: 20,000.
  U.S. cases in 1998: 54.

Common Misconceptions

At least ten misconceptions can lead parents to question the wisdom of immunizing their children. If you encounter others you would like Quackwatch to address, please contact us.

• Misconception #1: because of better hygiene and sanitation, diseases had already begun to disappear before vaccines were introduced.
• Misconception #2: The majority of people who get the disease have been immunized.
• Misconception #3: There are hot lots of vaccine that have been associated with more adverse events and deaths than others. Parents should find the numbers of these lots and not allow their children to receive vaccines from them.
• Misconception #4: Vaccines cause many harmful side effects, and even death -- and may cause long-term effects we don't even know about.
• Misconception #5: DTP vaccine causes sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
• Misconception #6: Vaccine-preventable diseases have been virtually eliminated from the United States, so there is no need for my child to be vaccinated.
• Misconception #7: Giving a child more than one vaccine at a time increases the risk of harmful side effects and can overload the immune system.
• Misconception #8: There is no good reason to immunize against chickenpox (varicella) because it is a harmless disease
• Misconception #9: Vaccines cause autism.
• Misconception #10. Hepatitis B vaccine causes chronic health problems, including multiple sclerosis.
• Misconception #11. Thimerosal Causes Autism

Opposition by Chiropractors and Naturopaths

Large percentages of chiropractors and naturopaths advise parents not to immunize their children. These actions are irresponsible and can cause serious harm both to patients and to our society as a whole.

For Additional Information

• U.S. Centers for Disease Control
  • National Immunization Program offers answers to common questions.
  • CDC Information Hotline: (800) 323-2522.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics answers common questions and provides its recommended childhood immunization schedule.
• Health Canada: Laboratory Center for Disease Control
• The Immunization Action Coalition, whose mission is to increase immunization rates, offers childhood and adult immunization information and answers questions by email.
• The Immunization Gateway: Links to many other authoritative sites.
• Immunization Newsbriefs: Online and e-mail newsletter from the National Network for Immunization Infoirmation
• The Vaccine Page: Vaccine news and a database
• Healthy People 2010: Surgeon General's goals for immunization
• Immunization: The Inconvenient Facts: A science-based response to Viera Scheibner.
• National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases: Jordan Report 2000: Accelerated Development of Vaccines
• National Network for Immunization Information
• Vaccine Education Center (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia)

Quackwatch Home Page

This page was revised on April 20, 2002.

[Sabertooth]

I thought this needed posting, given all of the anti-vaccination tinfoil fluttering around FR.

[Sabertooth]

((((((growl)))))

[Sabertooth]

((((((growl)))))

[okie01]

"I thought this needed posting, given all of the anti-vaccination tinfoil fluttering around FR."

Did you ping Former Lurker? He's got a dump truck full of tinfoil...

[Sabertooth]

Did you ping Former Lurker?

Now.

[okie01]

You just destroyed the purpose of your thread...

[petuniasevan]

I remember a kid in my hometown whose parents wouldn't get him the DPT shot. He cut himself on a buried can and got tetanus. That kid went through agony because the parents listened to the rumor mill, not the facts.

Here's a link to stories of the consequences of NOT vaccinating:

http://www.immunize.org/stories/unprot.htm

[deport]

fyi

[PeaceBeWithYou]

.

This should be a riot if he's not gotten himself banned.

[petuniasevan]

I sure wish the chickenpox vaccine had existed when I was in the military. Somehow I contracted it in March 1988. Poorman got it from me. Both of us recovered OK except...

I have shingles attacks every so often. The rash has come up twice in the past 10 years, but the worst part is the pain along nerve endings in my throat, back, and ribs. Feels like I swallowed a knife. 3 days ago was the last episode.

Not telling you this for sympathy - just for facts. The fact is that I would run out and get a chickenpox shot this MOMENT if it would do any good against the shingles!

[Aggie Mama]

Thanks for all of this, Sabertooth. Lots of info to read.

[SAMWolf]

Thanks Saber. Bump

[woofie]

Thanks... Great Post!

[discostu]

Count down to shillhood. That is the inevitable result, you will be labeled a shill by the shillmaster (because that's what shillmasters do). Have fun.

[woofie]

Need to also thank the poster

[bonesmccoy]

For your information:
Please consult your infectious disease specialist if these problems are as bad as they appear. If you need assistance, please use freepmail to message me.

Am J Clin Dermatol 2002;3(9):591-8 Related Articles, Links


Oral antivirals revisited in the treatment of herpes zoster: what do they accomplish?

Nikkels AF, Pierard GE.

Department of Dermatopathology, University Medical Center, Sart Tilman, Liege, Belgium.

Oral antiviral agents currently represent the most important therapeutic keystone in the treatment of herpes zoster. Three oral antiviral agents are available for the treatment of herpes zoster: acyclovir, its derivative valacyclovir, and famciclovir. Meta-analysis of published data has shown that oral acyclovir significantly reduces various herpes zoster-related symptoms as well as the duration, intensity and prevalence of zoster-associated pain (ZAP). However, this drug does not influence postherpetic neuralgia. The newer agents famciclovir and valacyclovir exhibit a better oral bioavailability than acyclovir. These agents have demonstrated similar efficacy to acyclovir with ZAP and they require less frequent administration. When initiated within 72 hours, oral antiviral therapy of herpes zoster is beneficial in selected, elderly immunocompetent patients, reducing the duration and intensity of ZAP and providing more rapid skin lesion healing. Oral antivirals are also of benefit in immunocompromised patients with uncomplicated herpes zoster. However, signs of cutaneous and visceral dissemination should be monitored; if signs occur, intravenous antiviral therapy is indicated.

PMID: 12444801 [PubMed - in process]

[bonesmccoy]

Good show!

Strong work!

Stay the course...

Join the war on bioterror!

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the heads up!

[Victoria Delsoul]

Thanks for the info.